Planning Specialist III (ESD Private Properties), Grade 23
Montgomery County Government
Department of Environmental Protection
2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, Maryland 20902

Salary Range: $74,507 to $119,032
 
WHO WE ARE

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is a nationally recognized and award-winning agency with the mission to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County’s air, water, and land in a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving more sustainable economy and healthy communities.  DEP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. DEP encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

In Montgomery County, stormwater management practices on private residential property are inspected every three years by DEP Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance (SWIM) Program staff and contractors to comply with state and local codes, and to provide resources to private property owners on maintaining best management practices (BMPs).  These practices include a wide range of small-scale Environmental Site Design (ESD) stormwater BMPs installed through the land development process, incentive programs, and grant programs.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking a Planning Specialist III who has experience conducting inspections and providing technical support to private property owners in order to ensure maintenance of these ESD BMPs found on private property.  The Planning Specialist III also provides support to a variety of stormwater maintenance and inspection contractor training programs and outreach efforts.

The ideal candidate will have considerable knowledge of local stormwater management practices that are used to treat runoff on residential properties, how to maintain ESD BMPs, and will have excellent communication skills and an interest in providing technical assistance to property owners to ensure their stormwater management systems are functional.  We are seeking a candidate with experience in conducting and documenting field inspections, along with the ability to work with a diverse set of stakeholders such as local watershed organizations and homeowner’s associations to promote and leverage our ESD stormwater BMP maintenance and inspection efforts.  The ideal candidate will also have a strong general background in local stormwater inspection and maintenance programming to provide effective support to overall Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance (SWIM) Program planning, contractor training, and outreach efforts.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

This position will conduct field inspections of a variety of ESD practices on private property, documenting inspections and maintenance of ESD stormwater practices, and coordinating with property owners as necessary.  This position will also provide planning functions and support for all aspects of the Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance Program, including technical expertise and guidance to support Watershed Restoration Division staff and managers, other County agencies, private property owners, contractors, and organizations.  Duties will include developing technical materials and internal and external communication and engagement activities, developing content of the Program’s website, developing and conducting training for stormwater maintenance contractors, property managers, and staff, and facilitating public meetings.

The position will also provide technical assistance to single-family residential property owners to complete online stormwater BMP self-inspections in coordination with Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) program staff, including providing field verification support, social media support, and ongoing outreach/education efforts to promote the program.

Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Conducting and documenting field inspections of a variety of ESD stormwater management practices on private property and coordinating with property owners as necessary.
  • Planning and supporting communication and engagement activities related to inspection and maintenance of ESD practices on private property to ensure BMPs function according to design.
  • Maintaining inspection records, generating reports to property owners on inspection results, and providing program analytics.
  • Generating maps and digital visual materials to support inspection activities including the use of GIS and other mapping products.
  • Providing technical inspection and maintenance support to the WQPC Credit Program; conducting inspections of self-certified WQPC credit applications; and disseminating information to a variety of stakeholders to promote self-reporting by property owners.
  • Planning, preparing, and conducting internal and external communication and engagement activities such as: annual contractor training, annual HOA/Property Manager workshop, as well as, developing, publishing and updating program outreach materials, and reporting the maintenance programs annual progress towards meeting MS4 Permit requirements.
  • Investigating and resolving complaints and responding to correspondence from property owners, homeowner associations, commercial property owners, watershed and civic groups, and other customers.

The work is performed both indoors in an office environment as well as outdoors.  Tasks my involve frequent walking over difficult terrain, lifting and carrying moderate weight (25 lbs.), occasional stooping, bending, reaching and climbing, and exposure to adverse weather conditions.

This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a County vehicle to visit residential, commercial and governmental facilities across the county to conduct evaluations, inspections and investigations of these sites that contain low impact development (LID) and environmental site design (ESD) practices.  In addition, the incumbent will need to carry equipment and safety items in the vehicle in order to perform their work which includes shovels, traffic cones, flairs, electronic equipment, laptop, site plans, mulch and other planting materials.

Preference will be given to otherwise qualified applicants also possessing registration as a Licensed Landscape Architect, Certified Professional Horticulturist, National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP), or Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1 or Level 2 (CBLP 1) or (CBLP2), Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Accredited Organic Land Care Professional.

Occasional evening or weekend work outside of normal business hours may be required.

To ensure a positive workplace and to comply with federal, state and County laws, the incumbent is responsible for completing mandatory trainings within the first three to six months or within the specified timeframe.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Experience:  Three (3) years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation or other work directly related to some municipalities planning and development work such as stormwater management.

Education:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field such as geography, natural resources management, stormwater management, and water resources.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education or experience may be substituted.

License:  Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class “C” (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant’s state of residence.

PREFERRED CRITERIA, INTERVIEW PREFERENCES 

All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications.  Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated “Qualified,” placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for an interview.  Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade or higher will be placed on the Eligible List as a “Transfer” candidate and may be considered for an interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following.  Please address this information in a separate section of the resume.

  • Interdisciplinary knowledge of stormwater management programs (reading maps, engineering drawing and designs, permitting, inspection and maintenance), stormwater management facilities, low impact development, environmental site design practices, water quality, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permits (its related laws, ordinances, and regulations).
  • Considerable experience in conducting on-site inspections of stormwater management BMPs in general, and ESD BMPs specifically, including all aspects of inspection document preparation, documentation of site visits and results, and data entry utilizing asset management systems.
  • Experience conveying technical interdisciplinary information on stormwater management programs to lay audiences, including County residents, interested groups, businesses, and contractors, tactfully, effectively, and equitably.
  • Experience in developing effective outreach programs utilizing the latest social media tools, including proven competence in developing outreach and educational material, newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, website material and content, and presentation material that is effective in reaching multiple stakeholders.
  • Experience in program development, working independently to conduct research, data analysis, review documentation, prepare reports, and memos to meet time sensitive deadlines.
  • Certification or registration as a Licensed Landscape Architect, Certified Professional Horticulturist, National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP), Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1 or Level 2 (CBLP 1) or (CBLP2), or Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Accredited Organic Land Care Professional.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Government offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

To view the complete job announcement and to apply, please visit our website at www.Work4MCG.com, click on “Search Jobs and Apply” and enter Planning Specialist III, ESD Private Properties in the search field.  Interested candidates must create an online account in order to apply.

The job number for this recruitment is 2024-00340.

This Recruitment Closes November 27, 2024.

For other DEP job opportunities, please filter by “Department” and click on Department of Environmental Protection.

All resume submissions must address the preferred criteria for the position, preferably in a separate section of the resume.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Resume Preparation Tips listed under the “Career Resources” tab on the Office of Human Resource’s Work4MCG webpage.

EOE. M/F/H.